I was happy to have a chance to read the second book in the newest series from Kimberley Woodhouse which focuses on early women paleontologists. Yep--dinosaurs! Just as the first book, this one has a mystery woven through it...every so many chapters a mysterious character up to no good who is unnamed. You just get a few clues here and there.

This book explores the life of Martha and Jacob. Martha is a female paleontologist eager to FINALLY get her name on a identifying plate in a museum with a skeleton she's dug out herself. This is her life's goal. But that means she won't be the society plate her mother expects her to be. But her father (a paleontologist himself) wholeheartedly encourages her fancy. Unfortunately, something happens to him which renders him incapable of any further digging--so she jumps into his shoes. Besides they found a WHOLE one this time and a museum will be displaying it---if she's the first one to get it out of the ground.

Jacob is a bootstrap kind of guy who just falls in love with the idea of digging up things. IN fact he's on a break from finishing his degree to get some real life experience so he can earn money to pay for that degree and the last few classes. HE also enjoys talking to the new woman Martha he met at a seminar. She's his ideal woman!

Naturally nothing flows smoothly and there is a lot of emotion that will come between them before anything is set to right.

So here is my take. Man.

i just couldn't stand Martha! She was so...wishy washy in her behavior to Jacob. I rolled by eyes several times. I don't usually dislike a character that much. But she was just sooo...well. just stupid towards Jacob. LOL

I knew who the villain was from the beginning. Okay, so it was a guess. And it came from reading loads of Kimberley's books and using my assumptions. :) Very satisfying all the same.

The book handled the discussion of science and The Creator very well.

A solid 4 stars for this new release!

*I was given a complimentary copy of the ARC by the publisher and Net Galley--and while I wrote a review in exchange, it was in no obligation to write a positive review. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own!

SET IN STONE is rhe second novel in the Treasures of the Earth series by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE, but it can easily stand alone. The story takes place during the Bone Wars and is fast paced and exciting.. There is murder and mayhem, jealousy and betrayal, and we are kept guessing as to who the villain is until the very end.
There is also a strong Christian message running through the story.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research into the study of dinosaurs and paleontology.
It is an enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This is the second book in this series. It is not necessary to read the first one to enjoy the second one.
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I did have it narrowed down to 2 characters but the real villain was not one of them !
Please read this series even if you are unsure of the study of Paleantology. I personally have no interest in but I did enjoy these books!

This is another winner from Kimberley Woodhouse. I love how she is able to combine exciting plots with layered character development and strong Christian themes. SET IN STONE is perfect for fans of historical fiction with a message. Martha and Jacob are realistic characters with genuine desires and faults, and the reader will be cheering for them from page one. I love the paleontology aspects of the story and following along as Martha strives to make her dreams come true. Her intelligence and ambition are refreshing. And of course, as the stakes are raised, we keep turning the pages. The plot is superbly entertaining. I look forward to the next novel from this talented author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-galley; all opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.